The warning comes after a number of Group Seven rugby league players were drug tested by the NSW Branch of ASADA last weekend.

ASADA would not confirm or deny Group Seven operations manager Peter Mehl’s statement that the anti-doping agency were at the Bomaderry Sporting Complex on Saturday, but did elaborate on the issue of drugs in sport.

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“ASADA’s remit extends beyond just elite sport,” an ASADA spokesperson said.

“Our education, investigation and testing programs can and do extend to athletes at all levels, including grassroots, as informed by our intelligence or that of partner agencies.

“This is to prevent the use of performance enhancing drugs and protect the health of all athletes in Australia.”

Mehl confirmed testing was carried out at the Nowra-Bomaderry Jets and Warilla-Lake South Gorillas clash,  won by the latter 34-4.

“While we can’t talk about specific missions, ASADA is authorised to test any athlete bound by ASADA’s legislation and the World Anti-Doping Code, anywhere, anytime, in order to protect the integrity of sport and the right of athletes to a level playing field,” an ASADA spokesperson said.

While a number of people were surprised by the attendance of ASADA representatives at Bomaderry – the first time they have ever been present at a Group Seven match – Mehl reiterated the fact all clubs knew this was a possibility this season.

“At a general meeting earlier in the year, all senior clubs were informed of the possibility of testing being conducted this year,” Mehl said.

“They [ASADA] were at Bomaderry doing a random, standard testing procedure, which has happened in other competitions across Country Rugby League.”

Mehl said these tests had been happening across Country Rugby League for some time.

Back in 2014, the Illawarra Rugby League competition had ASADA representatives present at a finals clash between Collegians and Wests at the Dapto Showground, where two players from each side were tested.

One month prior to this match, former St George Illawarra Dragons under 20s player Dylan Lauri, who is a Wests junior and had played a couple of games for the Devils during the 2014 season, was banned for two years after returning a positive test for the anabolic steroid nandrolone.

These tests aren’t just restricted to rugby league, with the Illawarra District Rugby Union also administrating examinations in the past.

Most notably was Nicholas Mastrodomenico (Mastro) who, after being banned while playing for Wests Rugby League Club for two years, breached his period of ineligibility by playing for the University of Wollongong, during their run to the premiership in 2015.

As such, Mastrodomenico, who was charged with attempted trafficking, attempted use, trafficking and use of three banned substances, is currently seeing out his four-year ban, which end on March 3, 2019.